Connect with hundreds of tutors like Andra

Who needs tutoring?
What prompted you to seek tutoring?

I am very happy with our experience so far with Varsity Tutors. They matched my daughter with reading specialist Mary and she is wonderful! My 10 year old daughter feels happy after her sessions and believes her tutor has already helped her.

— Allison K

What prompted you to seek tutoring?

Varsity Tutors really helped me understand the concepts during my Calculus 2 class. My tutor has such amazing patience and is open to many questions! Lastly, was always on time and very prompt. Highly suggest Varsity Tutors.

— Joey T

How soon would you like to get started?
Did you know?

Understanding your timeframe helps us to develop a tailor-made learning plan just for you.

Let's finish up your profile so we can find the perfect tutor:
Did you know?

stars

We have a 4.9/5 average customer satisfaction rating.

Let's finish up your profile so we can find the perfect tutor:

Found me a great Python, C Programming, and MatLab tutor for a Engineering Computation course.

— Charles C

Let's finish up your profile so we can find the perfect tutor:

The best tutoring service period. The customer service is beyond impeccable. They provide options that are perfectly suited to your needs. They've done such a wonderful job with my daughter in high school, I plan to use their services when she attends college. I highly recommend Varsity Tutors.

— Yvette

Let's finish up your profile so we can find the perfect tutor:

We know every student is unique. And they deserve a tutoring experience as unique as their needs. With thousands of tutors available, we're confident to find the one best for you.

A photo of Andra, a tutor from University of Florida

Andra

Certified Tutor

My academic career hasn't been perfect. However, along my path to becoming a doctoral student, I have learned to learned to excel at many different subjects (math, English, and the sciences). As a tutor, I want to teach others how to excel academically as well. Also, I hope to emulate my teaching heroes who not only taught me, but encouraged me to do my very best.
Over the course of my tutoring career, I have had the honor of instructing Air Force candidates, preparing them for the ASVAB, or military entrance exam. As a volunteer, I carefully strengthened each candidates abilities, providing reference materials for students. I was awarded for "my resourcefulness and persistence toward excellence under intense deadlines".
My experiences tutoring have been extremely rewarding. Tutoring allows me to more comprehensively serve the community with my skills.
Something that sets me apart is my dedication to guide each individual to success and to see each student meet their goal. One particular situation comes to mind that I would like to share. It illustrates my tutoring style:
One student was particularly struggling with the science portion of a graduate level exam. At the beginning, I wrote out a schedule, allocating each week to a different portion of the exam so it could be taught without rushing. As the deadline approached, I made sure we tackled the science portion in more detail.
During our sessions, my #1 goal is to become familiar with how each student receives information and adapt our tutoring session accordingly.
My hobbies include exploring new restaurants and going to soccer, football, and baseball games.

Connect with a tutor like Andra

Andra’s Qualifications
Education & Certification

Undergraduate Degree: University of Florida - Bachelors, Psychology

Graduate Degree: The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga - Masters, Business Administration and Management

Tutoring Subjects
ACCUPLACER Arithmetic
ACT English
ACT Math
ACT Writing
Adult ESL/ELL
Algebra
Applied Mathematics
Basic Computer Literacy
Cell Biology
CLEP Prep
CLEP College Algebra
CLEP Introductory Psychology
CLEP Natural Sciences
College Biology
College Physics
DAT
DAT Perceptual Ability
DAT Quantitative Reasoning
DAT Reading Comprehension
DAT Survey of the Natural Sciences
Elementary School Math
English
Essay Editing
Graduate Test Prep
IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches
Math
Microbiology
Middle School Math
Middle School Reading
Middle School Reading Comprehension
NBDE
Other
Physics
Professional Certifications
Science
Technology and Coding
Test Prep
What is your teaching philosophy?

As a teacher, it is vital that I make sure each student knows I see them as an individual with distinct needs, strengths, weaknesses, and goals. My role is to create structure and encouragement that ensures we reach those goals. Ultimately, I hope to inspire each individual to understand their learning style and "bend" what they're learning to be conducive to their style. As they learn to shape information into the way they learn best, I hope to inspire students to continue exploring their subjects deeper, building connections to other topics they already know.

What might you do in a typical first session with a student?

Something that sets me apart is my dedication to guide each individual to success and to see each student meet their goal. During our initial sessions, my #1 priority is to become familiar with how you receive information and adapt our tutoring session accordingly. To assess your learning style, I like to give a 5-question quiz so we can become familiar with your learning style. In addition, you tell me the end goal and date of your exam, and I create a schedule that ensures we reach your goal in the timeline you want. One particular situation I've had in the past illustrates my tutoring style: this student was particularly struggling with the science portion of a graduate level exam. At the beginning, I wrote out a schedule, allocating each week to a different portion of the exam so it could be taught without rushing. As the deadline approached, I made sure we tackled the science portion in more detail.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

It's vital to celebrate even the smallest victories along the "bridge of learning", as I like to call it. It serves as a confidence booster. Also, I believe everyone is a genius in their own way, and it's my job to help veer your genius to the subject you want to learn. When we come across an incorrect answer or inaccurate knowledge, I generally ask how the student came to that thought, and I restructure the question and answer, presenting it in a way that illuminates why the answer is wrong and explain how the author of the question came to the correct answer.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Encouraging students along the way is key!

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?

I break down the concept until we reach a point where the student understands the smaller pieces, and we build up to the concept from there.

How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?

Some students have trouble understanding how letters form sounds. I pair letters, sounds, and pictures with which the student is familiar. Other times, students lose focus while reading. In that case, encouraging their visual imagination (as well as practice to lengthen focus) goes a long way.

What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?

Assessing and understanding each child's unique learning style is a great start.

How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?

If there are cartoon characters, toys, or objects a student is familiar with or enjoys, we incorporate them into our tutoring session and practice problems.

What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?

The following day, after a warm up, we review a concept we reviewed during a following session. Ideally, the student has complete extra practice problems before our meeting as well. Information is truly remembered when it is reviewed over a 3-day span rather than just one.

How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?

I allow the student to verbally go through their thought process for solving the problem. Doing so reinforces the idea that they are indeed learning and absorbing the material. That small exercise does wonders for confidence.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Periodically, the student is given an assessment that includes what was reviewed. We concentrate on the greatest need first.

How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?

Most students learn best through visualizing, hearing, writing, or with physical examples. After assessing and understanding his or her unique learning preference, I adapt by using colorful examples, blocks, and/or an increase in auditory examples.

What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?

I use a learning preference profile that the student fills out and the materials the student uses every day during school. I also love incorporating websites.